Gunners head to Olympiakos to vie for top spot
Schalke are favourites to win the group and secure a kinder draw in the knockout stage, but Arsenal manager is not settling for second
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he still harbours aspirations of knocking rivals Schalke off their perch atop group B as the final round of Champions League group stage fixtures takes place this week.
The Premier League side ensured their progression to the knockout phase for a 13th straight year with a 2-0 victory over Montpellier a fortnight ago, but the Gunners must beat Europa League destined Olympiakos today if they hope to avoid a seeded team in the next round.
Schalke top the group on 11 points after five matches with Arsenal one behind, but the German side's superior head-to-head record means Wenger's charges would qualify as runners-up should the two teams finish level on points.
Despite conceding he may rest some of his fatigued players, Wenger was adamant the north Londoners would be fully focused on trying to wrest control of the group away from Schalke.
"There is something at stake and I'll have to give a breather to some players who are on the edge, as well as go over there and win our game to make sure that we do the job until the end," the Frenchman said.
"That's what I will try to achieve. I'm confident that [already eliminated] Montpellier will want to finish the Champions League well. There's a chance that Montpellier can beat Schalke," he added, referring to today's other group B fixture.
